Washing machine



Jan. 3, 1933. H. E. CROCKER ET AL 1,893,230

WASHING MACHINE Filed July 20, 19:51 2 Sheets=5hest l Jan. 3, 1933. H.E. CROCKER ET AL WASHING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1931 2 sneets-snaet 2Iii Cracker Patented Jan. 3, 1933 (UNITED STATES,

PATEN oFFiCE nowann n. onooxim, or MALDEN, Ami wmrann w. HARRIS, orMEL-ROSE,

MASSACHUSETTS; SAID manrsnssronon T SAID caocxnn WASHING Applicationfiled July 20,

This invention relates to a washing machine for domestic purposes andparticularly designed for use in connection with the ordinar set laundrytubs. J

It is the general object of our invention to provide a washing machineof the vertically reciprocated suction cup type, so designed that thewashing mechanism may be readily mounted above a set-tub and operatedtherein, and that it may be easily're'moved therefrom when the machineis not in use.

A further object is to provide a motor drive for such a washingmechanism and a support or standard for the motor which may beconveniently positioned and secured at the side of a set-tub, and onwhich standard the frame of the washing mechanism is detachablysupported. l

We have also provided improved means for shifting the angular operativeposition of the suction cups between successive vertical movementsthereof.

Our invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of partswhich will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in whichFig. 1' is a plan view of our improved washing machine;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, with the tub shown in section alongthe line 22 in Fig. 1; V I

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of certain detail parts, looking in thedirection of the arrow 3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 1 is a detail sectional elevation, taken along the line k4; in Fig.2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sectional plan views, taken along the lines 55and 6-6 in Fig. 2 respectively;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of certain mechanism for moving the cupsangularly;

Fig. 8 is a partial side elevation ofan interrupted bevel gear, and

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional elevation, taken along the line 9-9 in Fig.1.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, our improved washing machine comprisesa washing mechanism assembled upon a frame 10 19 31 Serial No. 551,832.

having a base portion 11 slidable in guideways1-2 formed on a platform13 secured to the upper end of a post'or standard 14. The standard 14 isprovided with an extend: ed base 15 adapted to rest on the floor orother suitable surface.

The post 14; is vertically adjusted in the base 15 so that the underside of the platform 13 will rest upon the upper'edge of' the side wallof a set-tub T, being preferably separatedtherefrom by a layer ofcushion material 16. The post 14 may be secured in vertically'adjustedposition by a set-screw 17 and is provided with an arm 18 vertically 7slidable on the" post and projecting under the; tub '1. After the postor standard is placed in position, the arm 18 is moved upward to firmlyengage the under side of the tub T and may be secured in adjustedposition by a clamping lever 20 (Fig. 6).

The base'portion 11 of the frame 10 is pro vided with a latch'or lockinglever 22 (Figs. 2. and 9) adapted to be received in a recess betweenlugs or projections23 on top of one of the guideways 12, thus preventingdisplacement of the washing mechanism during the operation thereof. Amotor M is mounted on the platform 13 and is provided with a drivingpulley 25 connected by a belt 26 (Figs. land 2)'to a pulley 27 forming apart of the washing mechanism. 'When it is desired to remove the washingmechanism from operative position, it is merely necessary to slip thebelt 26 off of the pulleys 25 and-27 and to swing the latchor'lockinglever 22 to upright position. The entire washing mechanism andits supporting frame may then be removed and placed in storage untilagain needed. The pulley 27 is mounted on a short shaft 30 (Fig. 2)rotatable in a fixed bearing in the frame 10 and provided with a pinion31cmgagi-ng a gear 32 mounted on a short shaft 33, also supported in afixed bearing in the frame 10. r o r A crank-pin 35 is mounted in theouter side of the gear 32 and extends through a slot 37 (Fig; 2) in alever 38, pivoted at 39 to the frame 10. The outer end of the lever 38is forked, as indicated at 40 in Fig. l, to receive 100 a block 42provided with hearing studs 43 which extend outward through slots 44(Fig. 2) in the forked ends 40 of the lever 38.

The block 42 is formed in two-separate parts, suitably secured togetherand having a spherical recess in their inner faces adapted to receivethe ball-shaped upper end46 (Fig. 3) of a plunger 47. The plunger 47 isslidably mounted in a tubular member 48 (Fig. i

2) and is provided with a cross-pin 49 pro jecting outward through slots50 in'the member 48. V

A spring 52 is enclosed within the member 48 and normally forces theplunger 47 upward until the cross-pin 49 engages the upper ends of theslots 50, as shown in Fig. 2.

The lower end of the spring 52 rests upon the top of a plug 54, securedin the lower end of the tubular member 48'by a cross-pin 55. A collar 60is secured to the lower end of the plug 54 by a cross-pin 61 (Fig. 5)and is provided with three equally spaced vertical openings 62 and withradial slots 63 in the bottom surface of the collar which extend in asfar as the openings62. J I

Suction cups 65 are mounted on slightly resilient arms 66 havingupturned ends 67 adapted to be positionedin the openings 62 and to besecured therein by cross-pins'68. When thus positioned, the arms .66extend outward through the slots 63 and are thus held in desired angularrelation.

The tubular member 48 is slidable in a sleeve70 (Fig. 7) but is heldfrom relative angular movement therein by a key 71. The sleeve 70 isrotatably mounted in a bearing 72 supported by the frame 10, and thesleeve 70 is provided with an arm 74 connected by a link 75 to acrank-pin 76 on a crank arm 77 secured to the lower end of a shortupright shaft 78 (Fig. 2) rotatable in a bearing 79 in the frame 10. 1 I

An interrupted bevel pinion 80 is secured to the upper end of the shaft78 .and is engaged by an interrupted bevel gear 82, mounted on the shaft.33 previously described and rotatable with the gear 32 by which thesuction cups 65 are vertically reciprocated.-

The bevel gears 80 and 82 cooperate to provide a Geneva motion by whichthe bevel pinion 80 and crank arm- 77 are given successive angularmovements of 180 each, with intervening periods of rest. By suchmovements, the arm 74 is moved alternately from the position shown infull lines in Fig. l to the position shown in dotted lines in the samefigure.

On one revolution of the bevel gear 82 the arm 7 4-will be moved to oneposition and on the next revolution of the gear 82 the arm Will be movedto its opposite position, thus occupying its two positions alternatelyon successive vertical movements of the cups.

'I-Iaving described the details'of construction of our improved washingmachine, the

. "we: method of operation and advantages thereof will be readilyapparent.

Assuming that the machine has been placed in operative position withreference to the tub T and that a load of clothes have been and gear 32.

As the gear 32 rotates, the crank-pin 35 swings the lever 38 about itsfixed pivot and'moves the plunger 47 and tubular member 48 vertically inthe sleeve 70, thus vertically reciprocating the suction cups 65. If theload is too heavy, the spring 52 yields and allows the plunger 47 andtubular member to telescopey, I

Atevery revolution of the gear 32, the associated bevelpinion 82- givesthe bevel pinion 80 a half revolution, thus changing the angularposition of the cups 65. Preferably this change in position takesplaceduring the first partv of the downward movement of the cups, thusproducing a spreading or shifting action on the clothes before thedirect downward movement of the cups becomes effective. The washing ofthe clothes is thus accomplished in a very satisfactory manner. WVhenthe washing is completed the washing mechanism may be quickly removed byreleasing the locking lever 22 and throwing off the belt 26.

7 Having thus described our invention and the advantages thereof, we donot wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise thanas set forth in the claims, but what we claim is V 1 1. In a washingmachine for use with a set-tub, a plurality of suction cups, avertically reciprocated member supporting said cups, a sleeve in whichsaid member is slidable but relatively non-rotatable, means including acrank disc effective to reciprocate said member, and means including acrank driven by said crank disc to move said sleeve angularly.

2. In a washing machine for use with a set-tub, a pluralityof suctioncups, a vertically reciprocated member supporting said cups, a sleeve inwhich said member is slidable but relatively non-rotatable, meansincluding a crank disc effective to reciprocate said member, and meansincluding a.crank driven by said crank disc to move said sleeveangularly and alternately to one or the other of two operativepositions, and to hold said angularly and alternately to one or theother of two operative positions, said latter means comprising anintermittent gear and an intermittent pinion which cooperate to effect:1 Geneva motion. 7

4. In a washing machine for use with a set-tub, a plurality of suctioncups, a vertically reciprocated member supporting said cups, asleeve inwhich said member is slidable but relatively non-rotatable, means toreciprocate said member, and means to move said sleeve angularly andalternately to one or the other of two operative positions, said lattermeans comprising an intermittent bev; el gear and an intermittent bevelpinion which cooperate to give said pinion successive half revolutionswith intervening periods of rest.

5. In a washing machine, a plurality of suction cups, a verticallyreciprocated member supporting said cups, said member having aball-shaped upper end, an actuating lever having a forked end, means toswing said lever in a vertical plane and a block slidable in said forkedend and having a pin and slot connection therewith, said block havingalso a swivel connection to the ballshaped end of said reciprocatedmember.

6. In a washing machine, a vertically reciprocated member, a collarsecured thereto and having angularly spaced openings extending parallelto the axis of said collar and having radial slots in one end connectingwith said openings, a plurality of suction cups, arms for said cupshaving upturned ends,.said arms being seated in said openings and radialslots, and means to secure said arms in said openings.

7. In a washing machine for use with a set-tub, a motor, a standardsupporting said motor, means to position and secure said standard withrespect to said tub, a washing unit comprising an agitator and atransmission mechanism for actuating the agitator, a supporting framefor said unit, a platform adjacent the top of said standard, havinganextending portion, means to slidably mount said supporting frame on saidextending portion whereby said unit is movably mounted on the standard,and means to de-' tachably secure said frame, platform and standard inassembled relation.

8. In a washing machine for use with a set-tub, a motor, a standardsupporting said motor, means to position and secure said standard withrespect to said tub, a washing unit comprising an agitator and atransmission mechanism for actuating the agitator, a supporting framefor said unit, having guides thereon, a platform adjacent the top ofsaid standard, having an extending portion, guideways on said extendingportion engageable with the guides on said frame whereby to slidablymount said frame on said platform, and a locking lever to detachablysecure said frame to said platform and standard.

9. In a Washing machine for use with a set-tub, a motor, a standardsupporting said motor, means to position and secure said standard withrespect to said tub, a washing unit comprising an agitator and atransmisset-tub, a motor, a standard supporting said motor, means toposition and secure said standard with respect to said tub, a washingunit comprising an agitator and a transmission mechanism for actuatingthe agitator, a supporting frame for said unit having guides thereon, aplatform adjacent the top of said standard, having a portion extendingsubstantially horizontally and adapted for projection over the set tub,guideways on said extending portion engageable with the guides on saidframe whereby to slidably mount said frame on said platform, formovement into position over the set tub, and a locking lever todetaohably secure said frame to said plat form and standard.

11. In a washing machine for use with a set-tub, a motor, a standardsupporting said motor, means to position and secure said standard withrespect to said tub, a washing unit comprising an agitator and atransmission mechanism for actuating the agitator, a supporting framefor said unit, a platform adjacent the top of said standard, having anextending portion, means to slidably mount said supporting frame on saidextending portion whereby said unit is movably mounted on the standard,and means to detachably secure said frame, platform and standard inassembled relation, and a readily detachable driving connection betweensaid motor and said transmission mechanism, including a crank disc insaid transmission mechanism, a motor pulley and a readily removable beltconnecting the disc and pulley.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto aflixed our signatures.

HOWARD E. CROCKER.

WINFRED W. HARRIS.

